The fleet of 110 international yachts is in the final stage of preparations for the 71st edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which will start on Saturday, 26 December in Sydney Harbour.
Teams from 28 nations are gathering at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Race Village in the lead up to this iconic race, one of the highlights of the Australian sporting and social calendar. Practice, planning and precision are key in preparing for this race, which is considered one of the most demanding offshore races in the world and will see the teams sail more than 628 Nautical Miles to the finish line in Hobart.
Earlier this week, in a preliminary battle of the big boats, Wild Oats XI, took on the likes of Ragamuffin 100, Perpetual Loyal and Rambler 88. Racing was extremely close over the 14 Nautical Mile course, but it was Bob and Sandy Oatley’s rebuilt Maxi that came out ahead reiterating that the record holder will be one to watch during this edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. As will the JPK 10.80 Courrier Leon, skippered by Frenchman Géry Trentesaux.
“I am now 57 and it is important for me to enjoy a couple of great races around the world every year. The Rolex Sydney Hobart was already on our schedule but of course with our overall win of the Rolex Fastnet Race, I was extremely motivated to put together a strong team for this race. Our crew includes Alexis Loison, winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2013 and Michel Quintin, a former Windsurfing World Champion,” said Trentesaux, the two-time veteran of the Rolex Sydney Hobart.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia was founded in 1944 and is the organiser of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race which will start on Boxing Day at 1300 local time.
